Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 19

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894

USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 19
USA > Ohio > Madison County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 19
USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 19

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Joseph Lease was reared in Ross County, Ohio, and received his eduation in the pioneer schools. He remained with his father for some time after he grew to manhood and then moved onto a farm, which the father had bought for him. The young man was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of Teddy Goldberry, who came to Ohio from Vir- ginia, and was one of the early settlers here, mak- ing his home upon Paint Creek. Joseph Lease made his home in the same place until 1857, when he sold out and moved to Hardin County, where he remained for four years, as he had there bought six hundred acres of land. He then re- moved to Ross County, living near his old home for several years, and while living there enlisted in the cavalry troop, and was in the service for three years and six months. After his return from the war, he moved to Salem, Ross County, where he still lives.

Joseph Lease had a family of nine children, five of whom gained man's and woman's estate, and three of that number are still living, namely: Nancy, the wife of Mr. Pern Souther, who went into the army, and has since died; Teddie, who also went into the army, and after a ten-months' service returned home on account of ill health, and our subject. The father was a Democrat, politically, but during the time of the Rebellion he was an earnest supporter of the Government and an ardent upholder of the cause of the Union. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife, who was called from his side by death, October 25, 1888.

The date of the birth of our subject was Sep- tember 17, 1832, and the scene of his nativity was the old homestead in Ross County, Ohio. Here he was reared and hved until he was twenty years old, when he went to Hardin County with his father. There he married Gertrude, a daughter of Abraham Roseborne, a prominent farmer of that county. The young people settled upon two hun- dred acres of land in Hardin County, and re- mained there for four years, at the end of which time the young man gave up this land to pay his father's debts, and they returned to Ross County. Ile served his country, as calls came for his help, and he was out with others to meet the Morgan

RESIDENCE OF H. O. LUDWIG , SEC. 7, CIRCLEVILLE TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.

H. O. Ludwig,

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Raiders, and also joined a regiment, in which he enlisted for one hundred days.

After the war, our subject removed to Fayette County, making his home here in March, 1865, and remaining here for three years. He bought the land where he now lives, and placed it under cultivation. His children are Sarah and Etta, who live at home, and Mary, who married William Wilson, and lives in this township. His property consists of seventy acres, which constitute his home farm, and forty-five acres upon which his daughter lives. He is a strong advocate of the tem- perance movement and, politically, is attached to the Prohibition party, although he was formerly Republican. In the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he belongs, he is a Class-leader and an active worker for all church objects. For a num- ber of years he has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is foremost in promoting all movements which tend to religion and morality.

ENRY O. LUDWIG. This prominent far- mer and stock-raiser of Pickaway County is at present residing on his fine farm, situ- ated on section 7, Circleville Township. Ilis estate is finely improved and its owner has reached that stage where he is enjoying a pleasing degree of success. Mr. Ludwig was born in Circle- ville Township, December 16, 1832, and is thus more interested in his community than he would be had he been born in some other place.

Our subject is the son of Jacob Ludwig, whose father, Daniel Ludwig, was born in Berks County, Pa., June 4, 1748. Ilis father, also named Daniel, and his mother, Mary Ludwig, came from Ger- many. Daniel Ludwig was associated in a store with Gov. Joseph Heister at 'Reading, Pa., for a number of years, and in the fall of 1806 emigrated to Ohio, bringing his family, which consisted of a wife and nine children, together with a small stock of goods, in wagons drawn by horses. Hle opened up a store in his dwelling, and some time later erected a large brick residence which was the home

of Jacob Ludwig for more than seventy years and in one portion of which he intended to keep his store. Three of his sons on whom he depended to aid him in that project died and the store was never established, the goods being disposed of to his neighbors. The house alluded to was built in 1809 and was the first brick residence in Pickaway County,

The grandfather of our subjeet purchased a half section of land in Circleville Township and entered lands in this and other counties until he became the owner of three thousand acres. He was the original owner of the land upon which the town of Logan, Hocking County, now stands and stood very high in business circles. He was married three times, his first wife, to whom he was united in 1778, being Appelona, daughter of Michael and Susannah Miller. Mrs. Ludwig was born March 14, 1760, and became the mother of four children, namely: Jolin, who was born January 29, 1779; Christena, born November 27, 1781; Daniel, born October 11, 1783, died January 28, 1790; George, who was born September 3, 1785, died February 8, 1810. Mrs. Appelona Ludwig died May 14, 1787, and March 11, 1788, Mr. Ludwig was married to Eva, daughter of Casper and Rebecca Grissmer, who was born November 12, 1766. By that union were born two children: Thomas, born January 15, 1789. died February 15, 1810, and Joseph, who was born October 1, 1790, died September 10, 1807. Mrs. Eva Ludwig died on the 21st of October, 1800. Daniel Ludwig was a third time married, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth Shupert, their wedding taking place in 1802. Mrs. Ludwig was born March 31, 1776, and became the mother of the following- named children: Catherine, who was born July 7. 1803; Mary, November 30, 1804; Jacob, April 17, 1806; Elizabeth, March 13, 1808; Rachel, Novem- ber 25, 1810; Susannah, August 9, 1812. Daniel Ludwig died June 9, 1825, and his wife, May 3, 1816.

Jacob Ludwig, the father of our subject, was the third child and only son of the third marriage, and was six months old at the time of his parents' re- moval to this State. Ilis early education was re- ceived in the district school, which was later sup-

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plemented by a two-year's attendance at the schools of Circleville, when Dr. Brown, President of the First National Bank, was his teacher. He was married, November 18, 1830, to Evelina Mor- ris, the daughter of Henry and Charity Morris. Mrs. Ludwig was born JJuly 12, 1812, and died February 23, 1848. Their family included seven sons and one daughter, namely: Daniel, who was born November 23, 1831; our subject, who was the second in order of birth; Isaac, who was born Sep- tember 21, 1834; George, January 14, 1836; John, born December 17, 1837, died April 7, 1848; Mary E., born April 28, 1839; David S., June 16, 1842, and Jacob, Jr., born January 27, 1848, died July 10 of that year. The father of our subject passed from this life October 12, 1881, at a ripe old age. Ile was a prominent man in the farming com- munity, owning at the time of his death about two thousand acres of land.

The original of this sketch received his educa- tion in the pioneer log schoolhouse, and being an apt pupil made the best of his limited opportunities. He remained under the parental roof until 1870, when he began farming on his own account. Mr. Ludwig and Miss Amelia Geoller were united in marriage April 6, 1875. Mrs. Ludwig was born in Circleville, and was the daughter of Leonard and Jessie Tina Geoller, natives of Germany. Her parents emigrated to America about 1860 and lo- cated in Circleville, where the father worked at his trade of machinist. He died in 1890; the mother is still living and makes her home in Cireleville. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living.

In his political belief, Mr. Ludwig is a staneh Democrat. He served his fellow-townsmen as Land Appraiser of Circleville Township in 1880 and 1890. Ilis wife is a member of the German Luth- eran Church and is an active worker in that body. Our subject is the owner of three hundred and thirty-eight and one-fourth acres of land on sec- tion 7, which is one of the finest estates in the township. He gives his entire time and attention to raising the cereals and has his place stocked with the best grade of cattle and horses. For a number of years, he was engaged as a drover, buy- ing and shipping cattle and hogs to the city

markets. Ilis present residence, which was erected in 1887, is a comfortable and substantial structure, as the reader will judge by a glance at a view of the home presented on another page. The atten- tion of the reader is also invited to the portrait of Mr. Ludwig shown in this connection.

AMES A. DRESBACH. The name of Dres bach has been connected with the rise and growth of Pickaway County since the early days of its settlement, and the representa- tive of the present generation, of whom we write, is closely associated with its interests as one of the most successful farmers of Pickaway Township, where he has a choice farm and a pleasant home.

The subject of this biographical review was born on the old Dresbach homestead, in Salt Creek Town- ship, December 8, 1839. The history of the Dres- bachs extends back to one Martin Dresbach, who was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, in 1717. In due time he was married to Anna Eve Hoffman, the daughter of a teacher of Nassau Siegen, and in 1746 they emigrated to America. They located in Lancaster County, Pa., and there reared a family of four sons and two daughters: Jacob, Henry, John, Martin, Margaret and Catherine. Their eld- est son Jacob was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. He married Magdalene Buehs, or Books in the English form, and they had thirteen children, of whom their son George was the grandfather of our subject. He was their third child in order of birth, and was born January 13, 1781. He married Cath- erine Betts, who was born in Union County, Pa., February 14, 1788, their marriage taking place January 10, 1809. The following is the record of their children: Mary was born November 27, 1809; Hannah, January 2, 1812; Elizabeth, June 17, 1814; William, September 21, 1817; Manuel, March 9, 1820; Sarah, January 16, 1823; George, Angust 18, 1825; Abner, August 16, 1828, and Solomon, August 16, 1831.

The grandparents of our subject left the old home in Pennsylvania in 1811, to found a new one in the forests of Ohio, and in the years of sac-

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rifice and privation that followed, the grandfather cleared a farm in Salt Creek Township, living to enjoy the triumphs of his labors after braving the dangers of pioneer life. He was a soldier during the War of 1812, and underwent the vicissitudes of those troublous times at the front, as well as in the backwoods. He was constitutionally brave and fearless, and he was noted for his uprightness of character and exemplary life. He was an active and most worthy member of the United Brethren Church, which mourned his loss, as did the entire community, when he closed his eyes in death No- vember 3, 1863.

William Dresbach, the father of our subject, was reared under the wholesome influences of farm life and the stern discipline of pioneer life, and his character was modeled after that of his father, from whom he inherited many fine traits. He was very strict in his religious views and was a leading member of the United Brethren Church. In his early years, he was a Democrat, but in 1848 he broke away from that party, and after the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. His long and honorable life was rounded out by his death, March 5, 1882. His first wife, Margaret, daughter of William and Jane (Patterson) Earn- heart, of this county, to whom he was married February 22, 1839, died May 28, 1863. His second marriage was August 1, 1869, with Mrs. Louisa Ford.

James A. Dresbach is the eldest of nine children. The first school that he attended was taught in an old log schoolhouse, the typical institution of learn- ing in pioneer times. He passed his boyhood days on his father's farm, helping to till the soil and reap the harvests, feeding the calves and pigs, car- ing for the colts and sheep, and performing the thousand and one chores required of an active farmer's boy. In 1863, he began his independent career as a farmer, and 1867 he came into posses- sion of his present fine farm, which is a part of the old homestead. It comprises two hundred and ten acres of very fertile land, advantageously situated on section 1, Pickaway Township, and well watered by Scipio Creek. He has made many valuable im- provements, including a commodions and conven- iently arranged brick residence. He raises and feeds cattle, keeping the best grades, having from

twenty to fifty head. He sometimes does his own shipping, frequently sending a car to Eastern cities, and he sold the first cattle that brought $150 apiece in Albany, N. Y.

Our subject stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, who know him to be a man of honor and strict veracity, with a clear, sensible mind, and much decision of character. Ile is capable of form- ing his own opinions on all subjects with which he is conversant, and is fearless in expressing his sen- timents. In politics, he is an ardent Republican, and a leader of his party in this section, represent- ing it occasionally as a delegate to county, con- gressional and judicial conventions. Ile has also taken an active part in the administration of public affairs, having held the office of Trustee of the township six years, and he is Director of his school district, taking great interest in educational mat- ters, and in all things calculated to elevate the community.

Mr. Dresbach was married in 1867 to Miss Mary Alexander, of Tarlton, a daughter of John and Margaret (Martz) Alexander, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Pickaway County in an early day of its settlement. Her father was a school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Dresbach have had four children, namely: William, James, Jolin, and one that died in infancy.

E DWARD ULM, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing in Range Township, Madison County, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 8. 1823, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Funk) Ulm. His father was born in Vir- ginia, of German parentage, and his mother was a native of the Keystone State. When he was about six years old, they emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, where our subject made his home until 1881. Mr. Ulm was married December 7, 1848, to Miss Julia A. Counts, daughter of Peter and Mary Counts. Ile engaged in operating his father's land in Ross County, and after three years purchased ninety-six acres of the homestead. Subsequently, he sold that, in 1861, and bought another seventy-five acres of his father.

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On the 4th of May, 1864, Mr. Ulm enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Ninetieth Ohio In- fantry, and was in the second battle of Manassas Junction, where he had a ball shot through his hat and came near being taken prisoner. After his one hundred days of service had expired, he was discharged, August 28, 1864. Returning to Ross County, he there continued farming until 1881, when he came to Madison County, and has since resided upon the farm which is now his home. He had married Mrs. Martha Ann Rector, and as his wife had an interest in this farm, he purchased the interest of the other heirs, and now has one hun- dred and fifty-seven and one-half acres.

Mrs. Ulm was born in Deer Creek Township, Pickaway County. Her father, John Wiggins, was born in Ross County, December 24, 1810, and mar- ried Amy Toweleger, who was born in Ulster County, N. Y., March 3, 1813, and came to Ohio with her parents when five years old. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins were married March 31, 1831, and resided upon a farm in Pickaway County. Their daughter Martha was the fourth in a family of eight children, all of whom are now married and doing well. Her father died in Pickaway County, April 28, 1889, at the age of seventy-nine years, and her mother is still living at the age of seventy- nine.

Mrs. Ulm was born July 24, 1840, and when six- teen years of age, on the 9th of November, 1856, became the wife of Amos D. Rector, a widower with four children. He was born in Pickaway County, May 5, 1820, and was a farmer in good circumstances. He died at his home in his native county, September 1, 1880, and was buried in Pleasant Cemetery. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Rector: Florence P., wife of Edwin Blacker, a harness maker of Range Township, by whom she has two children; Ora I. married Reason Phebus, and, with their two children, they reside in Pickaway County; Joseph S. makes his home in Pickaway County; Amy Etta is the wife of Wil- liam Eckert, of Kosciusko, Ind., and has two children; Matilda II. is the wife of Thomas Han- cock, of Polk County, Mo., by whom she has two children; and Vista S. is at home.

Mr. Ulm received $1,500 from his father's estate,

and the remainder of his property he has acquired through his own efforts. His life has been charac- terized by industry and enterprise, and he is now a well-to-do farmer. He voted for Henry Clay in 1844, for J. C. Fremont in 1856, and is now a Pro- hibitionist. He has never been an office-seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests.

By his first marriage, Mr. Ulm had one son and two daughters: Margaret E., wife of Andrew Wil- kins, of Ross County, by whom she has seven children; Clarinda, wife of Robert Eggleston, a machinist, of Peoria, Ill., by whom she has one child; and Edward J., at home. Mr. Ulm and his two daughters are members of the Methodist Church, with which he united when fourteen years of age. Socially, he is a member of the Grand Army Post.

NDREW J. CLINGAN, who won a good record while fighting for his adopted country in the late war, and has since acquired a high reputation as a useful citi- zen of Madison County, is a prominent member of his community, being at the present time Justice of the Peace of Summerford. He is an adopted son of William Clingan, who died in Maryland at an early day. Andrew J. was born in Washington County, that State, August 21, 1820, and, when reaching mature years, learned the trade of a tailor. He resided in his native place until 1839, when he came to Springfield, Ohio, and there carried on his trade until 1842, at which time he came to West Jefferson, this county, and was similarly employed for the following seven years.

In the spring of 1850, he of whom we write made his home in Summerford, where he was estab- lished as a merchant tailor until 1865, and for the three succeeding years was engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Clingan then became the proprietor of a clothing store, which he carried on success- fully for two years, his ability in business affairs enabling him to accumulate a handsome compe-

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tence. He has served his fellow-townsmen in dif- ferent capacities, and is the incumbent at the pres- ent time of the office of Justice of the Peace. During the administration of President Hayes, he was Postmaster at Summerford, when, by his genial and cordial manners, he prepossessed people in his favor. He has also been Township Clerk for five years, and Constable for a number of terms, in which positions he discharged his obligations in a most creditable and satisfactory manner.

The lady to whom Mr. Clingan was married, February 17, 1842, was Miss Elizabeth Ann Clark, who was born in Maryland, January 24, 1824. To them have been granted a family of seven children : Alonzo, Laura V., Mary, William, Ida F., James and Frances. During the late war, Alonzo served in the Union army as a member of Company K, Twenty-sixth Ohio Regiment. He was taken pris- oner at the battle of Chickamauga and confined in Andersonville, where he died October 30, 1864. Laura V., the second child of our subject, is the wife of J. T. Arnold, of Troy, this State; Mary married Frank Weller, and William married Emma Eckls; Ida is the wife of T. C. Foster; James mar- ried Addie Cartzdafner, and Frances became Mrs. Thomas Welch. Mrs. Clingan is a devoted mem- ber of the Christian Church, with which denomina- tion she has worshipped for a quarter of a century.

Mr. Clingan enlisted in July, 1861, joining Com- pany K, Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and did brave and efficient service for twenty-nine months. He participated in many of the important battles of the war, and received his discharge from Gen. Rosecrans on account of physical disability. His long residence in this county has made him well known throughout its borders and an upright life has won him universal esteem.

C HARLES F. ALKIRE. The family of which this gentleman is an honored representative is one of the most favorably known in Madi- son County, its members having contributed their efforts to the development of the resources of the community, and having ever been distinguished

for manliness and nobility of character. It is therefore with pleasure that we invite the atten- tion of the reader to the following brief outline of the life of one of its most widely known represen- tatives.

Charles F. Alkire was born in Pleasant Town- ship, Madison County, Ohio, March 4, 1860, and is a son of Abraham R. and Mary J. (Tanner) Alkire. The father, who for many years was a farmer, is now living retired in Mt. Sterling, but the mother has passed from the scenes of earth. Upon the farm which his father owned and oper- ated, our subject passed his childhood and youth in a comparatively uneventful manner, his time be- ing occupied with his studies at school and in aid- ing in the farm work.

When about twenty-two years of age, Mr. Alkire was married, December 7, 1882, to Flora E. Heath, who was born in the township where she now lives, October 23, 1861. After their marriage, the young couple located where they still reside, and they are now the parents of two children: William, born January 29, 1885, and Clyde, September 23. 1886. The home of this happy family is an at- tractive and commodious residence, built in 1890, and containing all the comforts of a model home.

Upon locating upon his present farm, which was purchased by his father and father-in-law, Mr. Alkire found the place in poor condition, but he at once commenced its improvement, putting up good fenees, introducing an effective system of drainage, and otherwise adding to the value of the land. He now engages in raising, buying and selling stock, in which more than ordinary success has met his efforts. In addition to his homestead of eighty aeres, he owns four hundred and fifty acres of land, received from his father's estate.

In their religious connections, Mr. and Mrs. Alkire are faithful and active members of the Christian Church of Mt. Sterling, and the destitute always find in them helpful and generous friends, while public measures for the benefit of the com- munity receive their active co-operation. The principles of the Republican party are those which Mr. Alkire believes best adapted to the advance- ment of the Government, and he uses his influence for its candidates. Although he has scarcely

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reached the prime of life, he has gained the full confidence of his fellow-citizens and in future years will undoubtedly be called upon to perform many responsible and honorable duties in the public in- terest.

2 UINN BRADLEY. Among those who have been so successful financially that they are enabled to lay aside the cares of life and spend their declining years in the enjoyment of suitable comforts, is Mr. Bradley, a retired merchant of West Jefferson. He is the owner of the old homestead located in Monroe Township which was the scene of his labors for many years. He is re- siding in a very comfortable home surrounded by his family and enjoying the esteem of numerous friends and acquaintances.

The parents of our subject were David and Nancy (Morrow) Bradley, the former of whom was born in Monroe Township, Madison County, and the latter in Tioga County, N. Y. The father passed away in his native place, July 6, 1850, while the mother, who survived him a great many years, died in Jefferson Township, the same county, January 26, 1892. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the youngest, he being born March 10, 1844, in Monroe Township, where he grew to manhood. The ed- ucation which he received was of a practical kind, as his advantages in the educational line were very limited. Ile aided his mother in carry- ing on the farm until the outbreak of the Civil War, when, in May, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and served with his regiment until the following September. Early in the winter of 1864, however, he re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company C, Second Ohio Cavalry, and remained in the army until the close of the war. Returning home to Madison County, Mr. Bradley again resumed farming.

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Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 19

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 894

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894